Three women who made the headlines this week

At IWDA, every day is feminist appreciation day. But outside of our own bubble, women doing extraordinary things aren’t often celebrated. We want to see women’s achievements featured on front page news – so today, they’re on ours. Here are just some amazing women who’ve stood out this week.

“I’m sick of ‘liberal’ men whose mask slips every time a woman displeases them, who reach immediately for crude and humiliating words associated with femaleness, act like old-school misogynists and then preen themselves as though they’ve been brave,” said Rowling.

Rowling’s Twitter takedown, which emphasised it was not a defence of anyone’s politics, but the condemnation of gendered insults frequently slung at women, perfectly illustrates the way sexism seeps into any analysis of a women’s ability.

Leonie Morgan

The Queen’s Birthday Honour Roll celebrates Australians whose actions set them apart and contribute to the community, be it through professional, public or service sectors. It’s a huge honour that recognises people from all walks of life who are making a difference.

Over 20 years ago Leonie was among the founders of EMILY’s List, an organisation ‘giving women candidates financial support early in their campaigns to provide them with the foundations on which to build a successful campaign and attract more financial support.’

In addition to her work with EMILY’s List, Leonie has consulted with IWDA on a variety of women’s political participation programs. We’re proud to call her a peer and excited to see her recognised for her trailblazing work.

Manal al-Sharif

In Saudi Arabia, an archaic and blatantly sexist law requires that women get permission from a husband, father or son if they want to travel, be released from jail, and sometimes even work or access healthcare.